Review of the TV movie 'Micro men' (2009)

At the start of the 1980s, the microcomputer revolution was happening. Personal computers such as Commodore PET, Apple II and Tandy TRS-80 were successful since 1977, proving that there was a market for them and paving the way for more affordable computers. The home computer appeared as suddenly as a volcanic eruption: dozens of brands and scores of models took the market, selling millions of units and making everybody acquainted with computers. And the mouth of that volcano happened to be at Cambridge, United Kingdom.

This is the story of the two men in the centre of this eruption, Clive Sinclair and Chris Curry. Initially boss and employee at Sinclair Radionics, then leaders of competing companies Sinclair Research and Acorn, they competed for the mass market of home computers. The story follows their exit from the troubled Sinclair Radionics to start anew, and how their initial alliance was broken because Curry was intent on pursuing the home computer when Sinclair was still determined to develop the electric car and too close-minded to give the home computer a try – until Curry left him. The story written by Tony Saint follows closely the successive developments of prototypes and models from both parts, their competition against the clock for the BBC contract, the success and then the eventual downfall.

This is a movie that only BBC could have done – having the benefit of decades of TV news and programs to tap into, they use key moments collected from their TV programs to illustrate the story magnificently. But still, the core of the story is told through the actors that play the computer pioneers. The direction from Saul Metzstein gets the pace right, but also attention to detail in the key moments, making for a clear understanding of this piece of History. The story is completed with a good selection of electronic music from the 80s, even if it is a bit off the time-line.

As for the acting, Alexander Armstrong delivers a strong, surprising interpretation of Clive Sinclair as an intelligent but wholly self-centred man. His characterization and voice interpretation mimic extraordinarily Clive Sinclair – but then, the dialogue written by Tony Saint is pure arrogance. Did the entrepreneur that put a computer in every British home really fail so much to listen to others? If anything, the storytelling leans towards the Curry side, which is well-played by Martin Freeman as a more sensible and down-to-earth businessman. Also highlighted is Edward Baker-Duly in the role of Hermann Hauser.

This TV movie was available at the BBC's website, but it no longer is. It is now available at YouTube, in a way that is legal to my understanding, so I am inserting it here for anybody willing to watch it.

Title:	Micro men
Genre:	History
Year:	2009
Nationality:	United Kingdom
Color:	Color
Director:	Saul Metzstein
Writer:	Tony Saint
Cast:	Alexander Armstrong, Martin Freeman, Edward Baker-Duly, Sam Phillips, Stefan Butler, Colin Michael Carmichael, Derek Riddell, Rhona Croker, Amy Beth Hayes, Nicola Harrison, Anthony Smee, Michael Keating, Peter Davison, Jon Glover, Theo Barklem-Biggs, Renny Krupinski, James Garnon, James Fleet, Tim Downie, Rasmus Hardiker, Alison Dowling, Perdita Avery, Elizabeth Bower
Producer:	Andrea Cornwell, Geraldine Hawkins
Executive producer:	Elinor Day, Jamie Laurenson
Production designer:	Chris Roope
Cinematographer:	Hubert Taczanowski
Film editor:	Ian Davies
Casting:	Catherine Willis
Art Director:	Tim Stevenson
Costume Designer:	Stephanie Collie
Music:	Ilan Eshkeri
Running time:	84 minutes
Language:	English